ECT SWIMS UPRIVER

The new Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) terminal being developed adjacent to the port’s largest container terminal facility, operated by Maritima Valenciana, is expected to commence operations in June/July 2006 and the unofficial word on the street is that Maritima Valenciana will operate this facility on behalf of MSC. Given the large volume of traffic that MSC now moves through the Maritima Valenciana facility and the inevitable movement of containers between the two facilities that will take place, especially in the start-up phase of the MSC terminal, this arrangement makes a lot of practical sense.

The stake is up from the current shareholding of 27% in the German inland terminal on the Rhine. DeCeTe has its own rail connection as well as four wide-span gantry cranes. ECT, a member of the HPH Group, wants to advance its strategy of strengthening connections between hinterland container flows and sea terminals in Rotterdam.